Sims v. Century Kiest Apartments

GUITTARD, Chief Justice.

Willie Sims brought this suit against Century Kiest Apartments, his former landlord, for damages for a retaliatory eviction. The principal question is whether a former tenant has a cause of action for termination of his periodic tenancy and eviction by forcible detainer proceedings in retaliation for the tenant’s reporting of code violations to city authorities. We hold that such a cause of action, if established by evidence, does exist, and, consequently, that the trial court erred in rendering summary judgment for the landlord on the pleadings.

Sims alleged that he…